System and method for providing a shared canvas for chat participant

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method and system of providing a video chat experience in a network are described. The method may include: receiving live video stream signals, including audio signals, from a plurality of participants of a live video chat session; combining the live video stream signals into a shared canvas; providing the shared canvas to the plurality of participants, wherein the shared canvas is substantially synchronized among the plurality of participants; and providing options for the specific chat participant to manipulate the shared canvas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/472,358 filed May 15, 2012, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORPROVIDING A SHARED CANVAS FOR CHAT PARTICIPANTS; which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure pertains tofacilitating communications over a web-based network, and moreparticularly, to communications between video chat participants of anetwork.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, web-based social networking is exploding. Facebook©, asocial networking service company, reported in April 2012, that it had901 million monthly active users (“MAUs”) as of Mar. 31, 2012, which isan increase of 33% from Mar. 21, 2011. On average in March 2012, therewere 526 million daily active users (“DAUs”) on Facebook®.

However, existing video enabled services are still far away fromreaching the full potential of video enabled chats. In consequence, thepresent inventors have recognized that there is value and a need inproviding a shared canvas to video chat participants of a live videochat session for a new and different video chat experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by wayof example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a system forfacilitating video chat over a network according to one embodiment(s) ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a platform forfacilitating video chat over a network according to anotherembodiment(s) of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for providing a videochat experience for a specific chat participant according to yet anotherembodiment(s) of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of user interface showing multiple videostream signals of a live video chat session, according to yet anotherembodiment(s) of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of user interface showing combinedmultiple video stream signals of a live video chat session, according toyet another embodiment(s) of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of user interface showing a shared canvascombined from multiple video stream signals of a live video chatsession, according to yet another embodiment(s) of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of user interface showing a new backgroundof the shared canvas illustrated in FIG. 6, which comprises multiplevideo stream signals of the live video chat session, according to yetanother embodiment(s) of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of user interface showing a shared canvasof a live video chat session, which is configured to allow chatparticipants to interact with each other in the shared canvas, accordingto yet another embodiment(s) of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of user interface showing a shared canvasof a live video chat session, which is configured to allow chatparticipants to play game(s), share virtual object(s) within the sharedcanvas and/or engage in other activities in the share canvas, accordingto yet another embodiment(s) of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not tobe construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certaininstances, well-known or details are not described in order to avoidobscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in thepresent disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to thesame embodiment. Such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but not other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatthe same thing can be said in more than one way.

Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any oneor more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significanceto be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussedherein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one ormore synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use ofexamples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any termdiscussed herein, is illustrative only, and is not intended to furtherlimit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplifiedterm. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodimentsgiven in this specification.

Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples ofinstruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note thattitles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of areader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unlessotherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions will control.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a system 100 forfacilitating video enabled chat over Internet 120, according to oneembodiment(s) of the present disclosure. The system 100 may include aplatform 110. The platform 110 may include one or more server computersthat are coupled to Internet 120. Each server computer may have one ormore IP addresses. In some embodiments, the multiple server computersmay be located at the same physical location. In some embodiments, themultiple server computers may be located at multiple physical locations.

In the platform 110, each new user may be provided an option(s) togenerate a user profile. The user profile may include, by way ofexample, but not limitation, the personal information, likes/interests,physical address, etc. In some implementations, the user may be providedan option(s) to connect the user profile to user's existing social mediaaccount(s), such as the user's Facebook® account, Google® account,Tagged® account, Quepasa® account, Twitter® account, Spotify® account,MyYearBook® account, and/or Pinterest® account etc. The platform 110 maybe configured to automatically update the user profile in the platform110 by bringing in updates of the user's Facebook® account, and/orGoogle® account etc.

In some embodiments, the platform 110 may be configured to provide avideo chat interface for a user to initiate or join a video chatsession. In some implementations, the platform 110 may be furtherconfigured to provide a plurality of video chat options to the user. Theplurality of video chat options may include functions such as call,accept, block, pause, hold, resume, redial, video on, video off, audioon, audio off, and redial. In some embodiments, a separate chat log maybe provided to chat participants of a live video chat session. The chatlog may be configured for chat participants of the live video chatsession to exchange text messages. The chat log is substantiallysynchronized among all chat participants. In some implementations,setting and profile changes (e.g. “likes”) of each chat participant ofthe live video chat session may be printed on the chat log in real time.In some implementations, the platform 110 may be configured to providean “undo” link associated with any action that a specific chatparticipant may conduct in the platform 110. By double-clicking the“undo” link, the specific chat participant may undo the actionassociated with the “undo” link.

In some embodiments, the platform 110 may be configured to receive livevideo stream signals from a plurality of chat participants of a videochat session. The live video stream signals may be generated on chatparticipants' user devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tabletPC, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant(PDA), a cellular telephone, an iPhone®, an iPad®, an Android device,and other tablet devices etc. The platform 110 may be configured tocombine the live video stream signals into a shared canvas. The sharedcanvas may comprise a plurality of regions. Each of the plurality ofregions corresponds to live video stream signals from a specific chatparticipant. The plurality of regions may be configured in atwo-dimensional layout or a one-dimensional layout (e.g. a horizontallayout or a vertical layout). In some implementations, chat participantsmay be provided options to swap their corresponding regions in theshared canvas. Take for an example of a shared canvas configured with ahorizontal layout. Each of the plurality of regions, which correspondsto live video stream signals from a specific chat participant, may havea fixed height and a variable width. The aspect ratio of each region maybe increased to spare space in the shared canvas when a new chatparticipant joins the live video chat session, or be decreased when achat participant leaves the video chat session.

In some embodiments, a specific chat participant may be provided optionsto manipulate the shared canvas of a live video chat session. Forexample, the specific chat participant may add, remove or modifyelements in the shared canvas. In some implementations, a specific chatparticipant may be provided options to modify a background of the sharedcanvas. The specific chat participant may add a picture and/or a videoonto the background of the shared canvas. The changes to the sharedcanvas may be substantially synchronized to all chat participants of thevideo chat session.

In some embodiments, the platform 110 may be configured to provideoptions for a specific chat participant of a video chat session tointeract with other chat participants in the shared canvas of a livevideo chat session. Chat participants may simultaneously perform a groupactivity as if they were at the same physical venue. For example, twovideo chat participants may simultaneously “bring” their hands toboundary areas of their corresponding video frames. In the sharedcanvas, it may appear that the two chat participants had “touched” handsor performed “high five.”

In some embodiments, the platform 110 may be configured to provide aplurality of virtual objects to chat participants of a live video chatsession. A specific chat participant may select one or more virtualobjects from the plurality of virtual objects to play with other chatparticipants within the shared canvas. The virtual objects can beanimated objects, images of real items, or any suitable image. In someimplementations, a virtual object may change colors, shapes, sizes etcwhen it moves across regions or near boundary areas of a region in theshared canvas. Each region corresponds to live video stream signals froma specific chat participant. In some implementations, the background ofthe shared canvas may be animated.

In some embodiments, the platform 110 may be configured to allow aspecific chat participant of a video chat session to play games withother chat participants in the shared canvas of a live video chatsession. The games may include, but not limited to, a hangman game,chess, drawing pictures together, Hollywood of Squares™, Halo™, Gears ofWar™, charades, etc. In some implementations, a specific chatparticipant may be provided options to drop a virtual object (e.g. aball) into the shared canvas. The specific chat participant may “throw”or “kick” the virtual object to other chat participants as if all chatparticipants were playing the virtual object at the same physical venue.

In some embodiments, the platform 110 may be configured to provide videostabilization options for video chat participants. A specific chatparticipant may activate the options prior to or during a live videochat session so that the specific chat participant's face can be keptsubstantially at the center of the corresponding video frame. In someimplementations, areas of the video stream frame that is outside a faceand/or a body of the specific chat participant may be cropped andreplaced with a background of the shared canvas.

In some embodiments, a processor(s) of the platform 110 may beconfigured to execute programs to record and monitor a specific chatparticipant's behavior in the platform 110. For example, the length ofthe specific chat participant's conversations and the common interestsbetween the specific chat participant and his/her chat partners may bemonitored, recorded, and analyzed.

In some embodiments, the platform 110 may be configured to examine aspecific chat participant's profile to select one or more advertisementsto display to the specific chat participant according to the pattern ofhis or her profile. The advertisement(s) may be non-intrusivelydisplayed on user interface(s) after the specific chat participant'slogin. In some embodiments, the advertisement(s) may be displayed closeto the shared canvas of a live video chat session on user interface(s)of the specific chat participant.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a platform 110 forfacilitating video enabled chat over a network according to anotherembodiment(s) of the present disclosure. The platform 110 may include,but not limited to, one or more server computers. Each server computermay include at least a processor or a central processor unit (“CPU”)210, one or more network port 230, one or more input/output (I/O)devices 240 such as a keyboard, touch screen or other touch inputdevice, a display, speakers, printer, a camera, a microphone, etc., andone or more computer-readable medium 220, all interconnected via one ormore internal bus 290. Each server computer preferably may include anoperating system, such as but not limited to Windows™, Linux™, or Unix™.The computer-readable medium 220 may be any medium device that isconfigured to store data, such as a hard drive, RAM, ROM, flash memory,electrically erasable program read-only memory (EEPROM), CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD), or the like.

Programs 2201 may be stored on one or more computer-readable medium 220.The programs 2201, when executed by the processor(s) 210, may cause theprocessor(s) 210 to perform certain operations. In some implementations,the operations may include, but not limited to, receiving live videostream signals, which includes audio signals, from a plurality of chatparticipants of a live video chat session, combining the live videostream signals into a shared canvas, providing the shared canvas to theplurality of chat participants, in which the shared canvas issubstantially synchronized between the plurality of chat participants,and providing options for the specific chat participant to manipulatethe shared canvas. In some embodiments, the operations may furtherinclude providing options for the specific chat participant to interactwith other chat participants in the shared canvas.

In some implementations, the operations may include detecting the bestcamera and microphone on a user device of the specific chat participant,and providing options for the specific chat participant to preview alive video stream from the user device and make necessary adjustmentprior to joining the live video chat session.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for providing video chatexperience for a specific chat participant according to yet anotherembodiment(s) of the present disclosure. At step 310, live videostreams, including audio signals, may be received from a plurality ofchat participants of a live video chat session. At step 320, the livevideo stream signals may be combined into a shared canvas, which issubstantially synchronized among the plurality of chat participants. Theshared canvas may be provided to the plurality of chat participants atstep 330. Options may be provided for the specific chat participant toadd or modify the background of the shared canvas at step 330.

In some embodiments, the process may further comprise providing optionsfor the specific chat participant to select a virtual object from aplurality of virtual objects to play with other chat participants of thevideo chat session in the shared canvas. In some implementations, theprocess may further comprise providing options for the specific chatparticipant to select a game from a plurality of games to play withother chat participants in the shared canvas.

In some embodiments, the process may further comprise providing one ormore advertisements to display on user interface(s) of the specific chatparticipant. The one or more advertisements may be selected according tothe user profile of the specific chat participant and/or the specificchat participant's activities in the platform 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of user interface showing multiple videostream signals of a live video chat session, according to yet anotherembodiment(s) of the present disclosure. The platform 110 may beconfigured to receive a plurality of live video stream signals,including audio signals, from a plurality of participants of the livevideo chat session (e.g. live video stream signals 401 and 402). Livevideo stream signals from the plurality of chat participants may havethe same background or different backgrounds. Each chat participant maybe provided options to preview and/or control the settings of livestream signals from his or her user device(s) prior to joining the livevideo chat session.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of user interface showing combinedmultiple video stream signals of a live video chat session, according toyet another embodiment(s) of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the platform 110 may be configured to combine received livevideo stream signals into a shared canvas. The shared canvas maycomprise a plurality of regions, each of which corresponds to live videostream signals from a specific chat participant of the live video chatsession. Each of the plurality of regions may have the same height andthe same width. In some embodiments, the new canvas may be configured ina two-dimension layout or a one-dimensional layout. For example, the newcanvas may be configured in a horizontal layout. Each of the pluralityof regions has a fixed height and a variable width.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of user interface showing a shared canvas,which is generated by combining multiple video stream signals of a livevideo chat session, according to yet another embodiment(s) of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, the platform 110 may beconfigured to crop areas that are outside chat participants' faces andbody parts and replace the areas with a background of the shared canvas.In some implementations, the platform 110 may be configured to providevideo stabilization options for chat participants of the live video chatsession. A specific chat participant may choose to activate the optionsso that his or her face may be kept substantially at the center of thecorresponding region in the shared canvas. In some otherimplementations, a specific chat participant may choose to disable theoptions so that he or she may fully utilize all boundary areas of thecorresponding region in the shared canvas.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of user interface showing a new backgroundof the shared canvas illustrated in FIG. 6, according to yet anotherembodiment(s) of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, theplatform 110 may be configured to allow a specific chat participant ofthe live video chat session to add a picture and/or a video onto thebackground of the canvas. The changes to the canvas may be substantiallysynchronized to other chat participants of the live video chat session.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of user interface showing a shared canvas,which is configured to allow chat participants to interact with eachother in the shared canvas, according to yet another embodiment(s) ofthe present disclosure. For example, two chat participants may perform“high-five” in the shared canvas by simultaneously “bringing” theirhands to boundary areas of their corresponding regions in the sharedcanvas.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of user interface showing a shared canvasof a live video chat session, which is configured to allow chatparticipants to play game(s), share virtual object(s) within the sharedcanvas or engage in other activities within the shared canvas, accordingto yet another embodiment(s) of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the platform 110 may be configured to provide options forchat participants to play games with each other in the shared canvas.The games may include a plurality of group games, which involve two ormore players. For example, the games may include, but not limited to, ahangman game, chess, drawing pictures together, Hollywood of Squares™,Halo™, Gears of War™, charades, etc.

In some implementations, the platform 110 may be configured to provide aplurality of virtual objects (e.g. a ball) to chat participants of alive video chat session. A virtual object may be selected and droppedinto the shared canvas for chat participants to “throw” or “kick” toeach other as if chat participants were playing at the same physicalvenue.

While the computer-readable medium is shown in an embodiment to be asingle medium, the term “computer-readable medium” should be take toinclude single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that storesthe one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by thecomputer and that cause the computer to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the presently disclosed technique and innovation.

The computer may be, but is not limited to, a server computer, a clientcomputer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, aset-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellulartelephone, an iPhone®, an iPad®, a processor, a telephone, a webappliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable ofexecuting a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine.

In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of thedisclosure may be implemented as part of an operating system or aspecific application, component, program, object, module or sequence ofinstructions referred to as “programs.” The programs typically compriseone or more instructions set at various times in various memory andstorage devices in a computer, and that, when read and executed by oneor more processing units or processors in a computer, cause the computerto perform operations to execute elements involving the various aspectsof the disclosure.

Moreover, while embodiments have been described in the context of fullyfunctioning computers and computer systems, various embodiments arecapable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms,and that the disclosure applies equally regardless of the particulartype of computer-readable medium used to actually effect thedistribution.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling ofconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall referto this application as a whole and not to any particular portions ofthis application. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription using the singular or plural number may also include theplural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to alist of two or more items, covers all the following interpretations ofthe word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,and any combination of the items in the list.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for thedisclosure, are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thedisclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Forexample, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order,alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employsystems having blocks in a different order, and some processes or blocksmay be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified toprovide alternative or sub combinations. Each of these processes orblocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, whileprocesses or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series,these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel or may beperformed at different times. Further any specific numbers noted hereinare only examples—alternative implementations may employ differingvalues or ranges.

The teaching of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to othersystems and not necessarily to the system described above. The elementsand acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

Any patents and applications and other references noted above, includingany that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporatedherein by reference. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified ifnecessary to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the variousreferences described above to provide yet further embodiments of thedisclosure.

These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of theabove Detailed Description. While the above description describescertain embodiments of the disclosure and describes the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theteachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its implementation details while still being encompassedby the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particularterminology used when describing certain features or aspects of thedisclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is beingredefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but alsoall equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure underthe claims.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A computer-implemented method, comprising:receiving multiple video signals from multiple chat participants of alive video chat session; combining the video signals into a sharedcanvas, wherein a first region of the shared canvas corresponding to afirst video signal of the video signals from a first chat participant ofthe chat participants and a second region of the shared canvascorresponding to a second video signal of the video signals from asecond chat participant of the chat participants are combined to form ashared region, the shared region not showing a boundary between thefirst region and the second region to provide a representation as ifboth the first chat participant and the second chat participant are atthe same physical venue, and wherein the shared canvas has the samebackground for the first region and the second region; transmitting theshared canvas to the chat participants, wherein the shared canvas issynchronized among the chat participants; receiving a first interactionperformed by the first chat participant in the first video signal and asecond interaction performed by the second chat participant in thesecond video signal; and combining the first interaction with the secondinteraction in the shared canvas to generate a synchronized interaction,the synchronized interaction providing a representation as if both thefirst interaction and the second interaction are performed at the samephysical venue.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, whereinthe first interaction is performed near a boundary of the first regionand the second interaction is performed near a boundary of the secondregion.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, furthercomprising: generating a preview feature that enables the first chatparticipant to preview the video signals prior to joining the live videochat session.
 17. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, whereinthe shared canvas includes multiple regions and each of the regionscorresponds to a video signal from a particular chat participant of thechat participants.
 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17further comprising: adjusting the size of at least one of the regionswhen one or more of the chat participants join or leave the live videochat session.
 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 furthercomprising: generating a video stabilization option that enables thefirst chat participant to position a specified portion of content of thefirst video signal at a specified position in the first region.
 20. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the video stabilizationoption enables the first chat participant to position content of thefirst video signal corresponding to a face of the first chat participantat a center of the first region.
 21. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 20 further comprising: cropping areas outside faces and body partsof the chat participants; and replacing the areas with the background ofthe shared canvas.
 22. The computer-implemented method of claim 14further comprising: generating a background option that enables thefirst chat participant to add a picture or a video to the background ofthe shared canvas.
 23. The computer-implemented method of claim 14further comprising: generating a virtual object feature that enables thefirst chat participant to insert a virtual object into the shared canvasand pass the virtual object to any of multiple regions in the sharedcanvas.
 24. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, wherein thevirtual object is configured to be controlled by a chat participant ofthe chat participants corresponding to a region of the multiple regionsthe virtual object is currently in.
 25. The computer-implemented methodof claim 14 further comprising: generating an option that enables thefirst chat participant to import a user profile of the first chatparticipant from an external social networking system.
 26. Acomputer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions,comprising: instructions for receiving multiple video signals frommultiple chat participants of a live video chat session; instructionsfor combining the video signals into a shared canvas, the shared canvasproviding a representation as if all of the chat participants are at onephysical venue, the shared canvas comprising multiple regions, whereineach of the regions corresponds to a video signal from one of the chatparticipants; instructions for transmitting the shared canvas to thechat participants, wherein the shared canvas is synchronized among thechat participants; instructions for providing options for a specificchat participant of the chat participants to manipulate the sharedcanvas and/or interact with other chat participants of the live videochat session within the shared canvas, wherein the shared canvasprovides a representation as if interactions from the specific chatparticipant and the other chat participants are performed at the samephysical venue; instructions for selecting an advertisement to bedisplayed to the specific chat participant according to profile changesmade by the specific chat participant or an interaction performed by thechat participant; and instructions for displaying the advertisement inthe shared canvas of the specific chat participant.
 27. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 26 further comprising:instructions for recording activities of the specific chat participantin the live video chat session; and instructions for providing anactivity pattern of the specific chat participant by analyzing therecorded activities of the specific chat participant over time.
 28. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the instructionsfor providing the activity pattern include: instructions for monitoringa behavior of the specific chat participant in the live video session,wherein the behavior is based on one or more of a length of the specificchat participant's conversations and common interests between thespecific chat participant and other chat participants in the live videochat session, and instructions for generating the activity pattern basedon the behavior.
 29. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 27,wherein the instructions for selecting the advertisement include:instructions for selecting the advertisement based on the activitypattern.
 30. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 26 furthercomprising: instructions for providing a chat log for the specific chatparticipant to exchange text messages with other chat participants ofthe live video chat session.
 31. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 26 further comprising: instructions for providing options for thespecific chat participant to swap corresponding regions in the sharedcanvas.
 32. An apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory storinginstructions, which when executed by the processor, causes the processorto perform a method comprising: receiving multiple video signals,including audio signals, from multiple chat participants of a live videochat session, combining the video signals into a shared canvas, theshared canvas including multiple regions having the same background,wherein each of the regions corresponds to a video signal from one ofthe chat participants, providing the shared canvas to the chatparticipants, wherein the shared canvas is substantially synchronizedamong the chat participants, selecting an advertisement to be displayedto a specific chat participant of the chat participants according to atleast profile changes made by the specific chat participant, anddisplaying the advertisement close to the shared canvas in a graphicaluser interface generated on a computing device associated with thespecific chat participant.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein themethod further comprises: providing a video stabilization option for thespecific chat participant so that the specific participant's face iskept substantially at the center of the corresponding region in theshared canvas.
 34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the method furthercomprises: providing options for the specific chat participant to add apicture or a video to the background of the shared canvas.
 35. Theapparatus of claim 32, wherein the method further comprises: providingoptions for the chat participants to perform one or more groupactivities together in the shared canvas.
 36. The apparatus of claim 35,wherein the one or more group activities include one or more games, eachof the one or more games involving two or more chat participants. 37.The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises:providing a representation of the one or more group activities as ifboth the chat participants are at the same physical venue, wherein atleast some of the group activities are performed near a boundary that isshared between a first region of the regions corresponding to a firstchat participant of the chat participants and a second region of theregions corresponding to a second chat participant of the chatparticipants, wherein the shared canvas is configured to not display theboundary.